Final decision on Local Government Election today (24)

Sri Lanka's Election Commission will meet on Friday (23) to reach a final decision on the 2023 Local Government Election due to the lack of financing and support from state agencies.

Earlier, the Election Commission decided to conduct the Local Government Election on the 9th of March 2023.

However, the Government Printer had refused to deliver the ballot papers owing to a payment issues, and this led to the National Election Commission to postpone the postal voting process that was scheduled for this wekk.

The Chairman of the National Election Attorney Nimal Punchihewa said the Local Government Election was called for legally as per the country's constitutions and the election law.

He told News 1st on Thursday (23) that all members of the National Election Commission consented to the Local Government Election Process.

He said that given that funds were not being provided to continue with the election process, the National Election Commission will meet on Friday (24) to reach a final decision on the Local Government Election 2023. 

The statement came from the Elections Chief after Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament on Thursday (23) that the country's National Election Commission has not legally called for an election, and there are no funds to conduct an election.

Commenting on the debate requested by the opposition on postponing the election, the President said there is no election for one to be postponed.

The President said the proposed Parliament Select Committee must be appointed to inquire into the Election Commission and the Local Government Election.

In the meantime, the petition filed by Retired Sri Lanka Army Colonel W. M. R. Wijesundara seeking an order to invalidate the preparations being made for the Local Government Election, was postponed to the 11th of May for further consideration, by the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka.

The application was taken up in the presence of Supreme Court Justices S. Thurairaja, A. H. M. D. Nawaz, and Shiran Gunaratne on Thursday (23).

President's Counsel Saliya Peiris appearing for the National Election Commission noted that No decision was reached to delay the election.

He noted that there was no division among the members of the National Election Commission with regard to holding the election.

However, he told the court that there were obstacles in holding the election due to the treasury not releasing funds for the election.

The Treasury Secretary had provided an affidavit to the Supreme Court with regard to the matter, and he was represented by Additional Solicitor General Nerin Pulle in court on Thursday (23).

Elaborating on the provision of funds, the Additional Solicitor General noted that it is not possible to provide more funds as requested.

When the court questioned when the funds can be provided, the Additional Solicitor General informed that advice should be sought to make such an announcement.

President's Counsel Saliya Pieris appearing for the National Election pointed out to the Supreme Court that the petition had failed to name the important factions, including the political parties.

The President's Counsel noted that it is important to respond to the affidavit made by the Treasury Secretary, and requested the court to take up the application again, soon.

President's Counsel Romesh De Silva appearing for Professor G. L. Peiris requested the Supreme Court to summon the Treasury Secretary and the Government Printer for obstructing the election.

However, as the consideration of the applications filed by Professor G. L. Peiris and other factions had already been concluded, the Supreme Court rejected the request.

Following the consideration of facts submitted to the court, the petition filed by Retired Sri Lanka Army Colonel W. M. R. Wijesundara was postponed to the 11th of May 2023.